The development and evaluation of a community-based clinical diagnosis tool and treatment regimen for postpartum sepsis in Bangladesh and Pakistan

• DOI: 10.1186/s12978-016-0124-1
• Publication Date: 2016-02-25T09:14:23Z
• Authors: L. A. Bartlett; A. E. LeFevre; F. Mir; S. Soofi; S. Arif; D. K. Mitra; M. A. Quaiyum; S. Shakoor; M. S. Islam; N. E. Connor; P. J. Winch; M. E. Reller; R. Shah; S. El Arifeen; A. H. Baqui; Z. A. Bhutta; A. Zaidi; S. Saha; S. A. Ahmed
• Keywords: Case fatality rate

Postpartum sepsis accounts for most maternal deaths between three and seven days postpartum, when mothers, even those who deliver in facilities, are at home. Case fatality rates untreated women very high. Newborns of ill have substantially higher infection risk.The objectives this study to: (1) create, field-test validate a tool community health workers to improve diagnostic accuracy suspected puerperal sepsis; (2) measure incidence identify associated risk factors and; (3) describe etiologic agents responsible antibacterial susceptibility patterns. This prospective cohort builds on the Aetiology Neonatal Infection South Asia sites: Sylhet, Bangladesh Karachi Matiari, Pakistan. Formative research determined local knowledge symptoms signs postpartum sepsis, systematic literature review was conducted design use during ten home visits. Suspected cases were referred physicians independent assessment, which permitted validation tool. Clinical specimens, including urine, blood, endometrial material, collected assessment antibiotic sensitivity. All with given appropriate antibiotics.This is first large population-based expand community-based surveillance diagnoses, referral treatment newborn include sepsis. Study activities will lead development by resource-poor countries. Understanding epidemiology microbiology inform prevention strategies understanding linkages neonatal infections.